Gwynne Thomas Knobel
Hudson resident for nearly 50 years

Born in Cleveland to Elwyn and Alice Thomas, she lived most of her life in northeast Ohio and almost 50 years in Hudson. She was married for 58 years to the late Harry S. Knobel, an executive with The Standard Oil Co. (Ohio).

Mrs. Knobel was the mother of Dr. Dale Knobel (Tina) of Granville, Alan Knobel (Debbie) of North Canton, and Rev. Martha Maxham (Art) of Olney, Md.; grandmother of Lynnea Knobel and Nathan Knobel (Wendi), both of Columbus, Andrew Maxham (Gina), Jill Maxham Singhaus (Steve) and Scott Maxham of Olney, Md., and Allison Knobel Sitton (Daron) and Matthew Knobel, both of whom preceded her in death. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Grant and Connor Sitton of Cypress, Texas, and Ellie Knobel of Columbus, and sister, Jane Thomas Boehm of Defiance.

A graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, Mrs. Knobel attended Kent State University and Western Reserve University before marrying during World War II. Subsequently, she devoted her life to family, church and community. Gwynne and Harry Knobel were among the earliest members of the Hudson United Methodist Church and were instrumental in the construction of the present church building. She held numerous offices in the church and continued to lead a women's Sunday School class until her death.

In Hudson, she had been active in volunteering with the public schools and with the Girl Scouts and was among the group that brought the Bandstand to the Hudson Green. She was a longtime summer resident and devoted supporter of Lakeside, the historic chautauqua on Lake Erie.

Mrs. Knobel actively supported Defiance College, where her late husband was a trustee, and Denison University, where her eldest son is president.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, 19 E. Main St. in Hudson. A service will be Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Hudson United Methodist Church, 2600 Hudson-Aurora Road. Interment will be at Markillie Cemetery.